Moroccan footballer Achraf Hakimi will stand trial on rape charges after a French appeals court rejected his defense’s appeal. The decision came just hours before Morocco’s match against Scotland in the ongoing World Cup tournament, which Morocco won. Hakimi was initially indicted earlier this year following accusations made by a woman who alleged she was sexually assaulted in February. His legal team had attempted to halt the proceedings, but the court in Versailles upheld the decision to move forward with the trial. Details of the alleged incident remain limited, and Hakimi has maintained his innocence. The trial’s timing during the World Cup adds a significant layer of scrutiny to the case and Hakimi’s participation in the tournament. He released a strong message maintaining his innocence during the World Cup.